Fever in Children

When a child has a fever, parents usually turn to a pediatrician, who evaluates the cause and provides guidance on how to care for the child.

Fever in children is a rise in body temperature that, rather than being a disease itself, is the body's response to infections or other processes.

Common symptoms: In addition to a high temperature, the child may seem irritable, listless, have a poor appetite, or have chills.

When to see a doctor: It's a good idea to seek care if the fever is very high, lasts several days, is accompanied by difficulty breathing or a skin rash, or if it affects young infants.

Whenever you have questions about your child's fever or notice that they seem very listless, the wisest thing to do is have a professional examine them.